Karen

What Are You Wearing On Your Nails?

May 14th, 2013 by Karen 50 Comments

I’m wearing two coats of Tom’s new semi-opaque shimmery white Vapor Nail Lacquer ($30) from the summer 2013 collection.

The color, I feel just so-so about, but I love the brush, which just lays down the color so smoothly, and the sleek formula.

Not bad wear time, either. I’m on my fourth day so far, and I’m just beginning to notice a couple of tiny cracks forming around the edges, and that’s without a base or top coat.

How about you? What are you wearing on your nails?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Unsung Makeup Heroes: Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Smog

May 13th, 2013 by Karen 39 Comments

Sometime in the not-so-distant future…

“Remember smog?”

“Smog! Of course I remember smog. It was one of my favorite things about the early twenty-first century.”

“Mine too!”

Years from now as you and I share a cheesecake in the middle of the night at our Miami home with the other Golden Girls — dibs on being the Sophia of the group! She’s short, cranky and carries her purse around everywhere, so I feel like I’d be a good fit — we’ll look back on this time as the era of Smog.

No, not the kind that hovers over the San Fernando Valley… I’m referring to Urban Decay’s $19 shimmery masterpiece of golden khaki bronze, the 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Smog.

“Gosh, we wore it with everything!” we’ll say. “We didn’t even touch black liners there for a while.”

It looked so good with summery golds, khakis, bronzes and browns. Even corals, purples and teals.

“Dang,” we’ll say, “that was one flexible liquid liner…”

You’ll roll your eyes as I retell the story (FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME) of how I was wearing waterproof Smog along my lash lines when I bumped into Ryan Gosling that time in Hawaii.

It was early in the morning just after dawn, hardly anyone else in the water, and I was sitting back on my surfboard waiting for the next wave. Smog’s shimmery, shiny finish caught the sunlight, which caught Ryan’s eye and prompted him to paddle over and say, “Hey girl.”

“We surfed, laughed and shared a shave ice that day,” I’ll say, “and Smog lasted from 10-12 hours.”

At some point you’ll remind me of my penchant for telling tall tales, and I’ll tap my plate with my fork, contemplating another slice of cheesecake. 🙂

What else can I say about Smog, babe? I just love it.

It’s waterproof and long-lasting enough to spend the day surfing and complements just about every eye color I’ve ever seen.

I love the way its golden khaki bronze color works with the kinds of colors I like to wear in summer.

[Continue reading…]

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 271

May 13th, 2013 by Karen 39 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for May 13, 2013

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”

Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

How do you feel about music festivals?
I’ve gotta say…I’ve been to a few, and they’re just not really my thing.

I can never see what’s happening on stage (#shortpeopleproblems), my feet ache from standing so long (again, while unable to see the stage), and porta potties just really, REALLY freak me out.

Most of the time, I’d rather watch pre-recorded performances on TV from the comfort of my living room couch.

Something you used to wear that now makes you cringe whenever you see yourself wearing it in old pictures?
Egad, remember those cheesy plastic choker necklaces from the late ’90s? I’m wearing one (and sometimes two) in almost every one of my “We’re going to da club!” pics from that era.

I had ’em in a bunch of different colors, too, haha!

Last time I went home, I saw one hanging from a hook as a decoration in my parent’s bathroom…

What’s more fun for you — doing your hair, nails or makeup?
Makeup! 🙂

Nails are more of a relaxing thing for me, and my hair tends to be a chore.

Have you ever gone on vacation by yourself?
Nope, but I’ve been thinking about taking a long spa weekend by myself sometime soon.

I love traveling with friends or El Hub, but I also like (okay, LOVE) the idea of being able to do whatever I want, whenever I want to do it.

How did you meet your closest friend(s)?
We went to elementary school together. I met Jen in second grade and Cindy in third, but it wasn’t until high school that we all started hanging out together regularly.

Three things you’re grateful for right now?
The sunshine outside my window, afternoon naps (because I napped yesterday and feel well rested today), and uplifting songs.

What time did you wake up this morning?
At exactly 5:55. I just opened my eyes, too. No tabby or other alarm clocks.

Three things on your desk right now?
A small quartz rock, a purple gel pen (Uniball Vision Elite Micro 0.5…the BEST!) and a bottle of Vitamin Water Zero in Squeezed.

Something you’d like to do this summer?
Swim in a lake.

Did you pick up any new makeup or beauty products last weekend?
I swung by a MAC counter on Saturday to get a new 224 (misplaced mine), a 109 Small Contour Brush and a Veluxe Brow Liner in Deep Dark Brunette

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le List

1. How do you feel about music festivals?
2. Something you used to wear that now makes you cringe whenever you see yourself wearing it in old pictures?
3. What’s more fun for you — doing your hair, nails or makeup?
4. Have you ever gone on vacation by yourself?
5. How did you meet your closest friend(s)?
6. Three things you’re grateful for right now?
7. What time did you wake up this morning?
8. Three things on your desk right now?
9. Something you’d like to do this summer?
10. Did you pick up any new makeup or beauty products last weekend?

How are you feeling this morning? Do you feel ready for the week?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup Playtime

May 13th, 2013 by Karen 8 Comments

Sometimes you just need it, ya know?

Zoya’s Pixie Dust Summer 2013 Collection

May 13th, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

Zoya’s Pixie Dust Summer 2013 Collection, available now at Zoya counters and online.

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 243

May 12th, 2013 by Karen 9 Comments

You may know Tabs as a playboy, jet-setting kitty supermodel extraordinaire, but he’s also just a very sweet boy.

Most of the time.

Today I expected flowers, or chocolates, or a day off, or at least some little recognition for Mother’s Day, but nope. Nada. No brunch, nothin’. He didn’t even get me a card.

I don’t know… Maybe he’s saving up for Admin Assistant’s Day.

He has been busy, so maybe that was the reason. Who knows? The phone’s been ringing off the hook with kitty modeling jobs, so he decided to take a break this week from working on his Husky Tabby comic to model for MAC, Benefit, Dior, Urban Decay and Milani.

He wanted me to ask which of this week’s campaigns you like best. He’s partial to the Dior one for Jet Ski Jet Black Waterproof Mascara. He says it was a lot of fun to shoot. 🙂